The Shake It Up Australia Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2011. In partnership with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), Shake It Up promotes and funds Parkinson’s research in Australia aimed at better treatments and a cure. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the fastest-growing neurological disorder in the world, and globally, rates of disability and death due to PD are rapidly increasing. In Australia, it is estimated that more than 200,000 Australians are currently living with the disease. As a degenerative disorder, the symptoms of PD get worse over time, greatly reducing quality of life.

The Australian Parkinson’s Genetics Study (APGS) is a nationwide research study run by the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane and funded by Shake It Up Australia Foundation and MJFF. The APGS will contribute to the largest study of Parkinson’s genetics, the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program(GP2). The funding for this study was made possible by Shake It Up’s Catalyst Programme velocity (CPv), which is focused on accelerating research to find new treatments to slow, stop, and cure Parkinson’s.

Shake It Up has also partnered with QIMR Berghoferto to support the recruitment and promotion of the study. The APGS aims to recruit thousands of participants—with and without Parkinson’s disease—to help scientists crack the code of PD. This will enable researchers to identify the genes behind the disease. A better understanding of the genetic basis of Parkinson’s is essential to revolutionising further research and accelerating the discovery of new drug therapies.

With the support of Shake It Up Australia to drive recruitment to the study, more than 9,000 volunteerswith Parkinson’s disease, and 2,500 volunteers without Parkinson’s have joined the study so far.

This revolutionary study is only possible with the participation of thousands of real patients, significant depth of knowledge from the team at QIMR Berghofer, and the support and efforts of Shake It Up Australia to promote and encourage participation.

Shake It Up’s funding and support of the Australian Parkinson’s Genetics Study has significantly

impacted and increased awareness of Parkinson’s disease in Australia, as well as shining a light on how people with and without Parkinson’s can participate in research to find a cure. The Catalyst Programme velocity ensured the Foundation could identify and provide significant funding to high-potential Australian research that shows considerable promise to slow progress, improve treatments and contribute to the quest for a cure.

To find out more about Shake It Up Australia Foundation, visit shakeitup.org.au